On March 15 at 8:20am my squad found out that our Race was ending. Due to the spread of Covid-19 many countries are scrambling to asses the situation, initiate health protocols, and are closing borders. Adventures in Missions has determined that the safety and well-being of all racers in this unpredictable time would be found through returning back home. So, we found out Sunday morning and we were told we would be flying out Monday morning…wow! In the blink of an eye my race went from having 2 1/2 months left to only one day. The question of what you would do with only one day left on this earth became a reality of what to do with one day left on the World Race…in Thailand.
What once started as a group of strangers quickly became my family. Home was where they were and with the people I loved serving. Home was in Guatemala playing Just Dance with Irmas Family, in the many movie nights and coffee ceremonies spent with the house moms and the staff in Ethiopia, and for a short time in the spontaneous singing and dancing with the women of Bella Goose Cafe while washing dishes or drinking a cup of coffee in Thailand. I always dreamed about the day I would come back to Virginia- my first home. However, I never expected that to become a reality with still so much time left on the field. I was not ready to say goodbye to the faces I see everyday and have lived with for 7 months and I was not ready for the Hellos either. I have experienced so many things with my squad that have brought us all into a level of understanding that is hard to explain to people that have not experienced the same thing. To be torn away from that home of understanding so abruptly and unexpectedly has been hard to understand. The Lord loves me and knew this was going to happen. Therefore, I must trust in his love and plans for this turn of events I alone did not see coming.
We are flying into LA Monday evening to begin a mini debrief to help us transition back into America. I will be flying back home during that week as well. When joining the race I never expected one of the hardest parts about it would not be on the field, but after. Within even just seven months out of the country it is so hard to even think about joining American culture again. I’ve been so blessed to experience so many ways of life that have become normal and homey to me. Now I must begin the process of transitioning back to the culture of my home and begin the process of becoming familiar with it especially in the state our country is in now. The overwhelming feeling I hold comes from the fact that I thought I had two more months to transition and now I must do it within days way before my heart was ready.
As I make my way back home know that I am so excited to see everyone of you and am so thankful for the support you have given me during my time on the Race. I know that this virus may have put a pause on international missions, but it cannot stop any of us from loving the community we are in and bringing hope instead of fear. Thailand was very safe and I am coming from a place of peace in the midst of this crisis in a country full of fear. I am so ready to love my community and family again and I am so looking forward to the day I can give every single one of you a hug!!
Please keep my squad and myself in your prayers as we travel and transition back into America. I know the abruptness of this all has really taken a toll so prayers would be so appreciated!!
As I have time to transition back home, I hope to come out with blogs to fill y’all in on the end of Ethiopia and the two weeks I had in Thailand….thank you for being patient!!
With lots of love,
Kaya Mullen
